Ryan Gosling's New Movie Faces Backlash For Johnny Depp-Amber Heard Joke

"The Fall Guy" is facing controversy over a joke involving Amber Heard and Johnny Depp.

The Ryan Gosling film hit theaters Friday across America, but it seems like attention isn't on attendance or reviews. News is spreading about a joke focused on the infamous relationship that ended in a huge lawsuit.

Heard accused Depp of abusing her in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed, he sued her claiming it was nonsense and the jury agreed. He won a massive judgment worth more than $10 million that was eventually settled for $1 million.

Despite Depp crushing Heard in court and pretty much killing the #MeToo movement, some have continued to believe the actress, and they're not happy with the joke in the movie.

Johnny Depp successfully sued Amber Heard over abuse allegations. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

"The Fall Guy" features Johnny Depp/Amber Heard joke.

The film about a stuntman caught up in a wild adventure features a scene where two female characters enter an actor's destroyed trailer, and one says, "It’s like Amber and Johnny were just in here," according to TMZ.

It's a joke. Nothing more. Nothing less. Yet, that hasn't stopped people from complaining.

It's amazing this even needs to be said, but all the people complaining know it's a movie, right? It's not real. You know what else wasn't real in the eyes of a Virginia jury? Heard's claims that Depp abused her. You can agree or disagree, but the court made its ruling. Heard lost. Depp won in blowout fashion.

Furthermore, the entire point of comedy is that it's supposed to be edgy and make you uncomfortable. Laughing at a joke about murder, racism or domestic violence doesn't mean you're a fan of those things. It simply means you don't hate humor.

As Patrice O'Neal famously argued, people should be allowed to make any joke they want. It might hit or miss, but the attempt must be protected.

Also, who is to say where the line should be drawn? Dave Chappelle famously joked about O.J. Simpson - a person many Americans believe committed a double-murder - and it's absolutely hilarious.

Offensive? Maybe. Funny? Without a doubt.

So, everyone complaining should take a chill pill, crack a beer and relax. Nobody should ever apologize for a joke, and I damn sure won't. Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com if you agree.